Citalopram - heartburn/acid reflux - can anyone help??

[Rosalie43]

Hello to everyone out there,

I have (reluctantly; it has taken me a year to start taking this medication - for panic disorder/anxiety, especially over my health) been taking the above for just over two weeks now; I think today is day 18, and am on 10mg (gp wanted me to go straight to 20 but I was nervous about that..)

On the positive side, I definitely feel calmer and have a lot more patience with my children, although at times this calmness is more like feeling slightly spaced out, and mid/late afternoon I could just lie down and sleep at times (reminds me of pregnancy).

On the downside, I have been experiencing horrible hearburn and acid reflux - something that I have only very occasionally experienced as a symptom of anxiety (although my anxiety manifests itself as a multitude of physical symptoms - you name it, I have felt it over the last twelve months). It comes and goes so is not constant, but at times it is like a HORRIBLE lump in my throat/wave of gas coming up from my stomach/lots of burping/a gassy feeling in my chest, even the odd bit of shoulder pain. I have also been a lot more, erm, flatulent...

I have also been feeling waves of nausea that hit me every now and then, which I hoped would have eased off by now, plus shakiness at times and the odd horrible night sweat - hoping these will go.

I have read that nausea etc can be a common side effect but not the heartburn feelings - has anyone else had these?? I really need to know that they will disappear soon as they are making me feel quite physically out of sorts.

I really want to give this medication a go as I have tried EVERYTHING under the sun to alleviate my anxiety, but the panicky feelings were getting worse and I felt as if I was beginning to hit a wall with it.

If anyone can add anything helpful or any personal insight, I would be ever so grateful.

Thanks so much in advance.
ps am seeing my gp on Monday again for a review.

Hi there
Sorry you are suffering, I have not taken citalopram but felt the need to write as the symptoms that you mention remind me of how I suffered during my second pregnancy which I originally put down to heartburn but it turned out I had gall stones, maybe mention this possibility to your GP? I had just two bouts in my first pregnancy but it was nonstop with the second and I had no symptoms inbetween so I think hormones affected it so possibly the medication could be doing something similar?
Hopefully not the case and someone else has a better reply!! ??

Hello there - thanks so much for replying. God, I sincerely hope that it isn't gallstones. The pain isn't constant and isn't under my ribs (have just googled), more behind my breastbone, and can feel quite stabbing, but then passes after a few seconds. I will definitely mention it to my gp.

Can anyone else offer any insight, please?

Yes, I have had real problems with heartburn since I began taking sertraline. My gp diagnosed lanzaprazole to help, which reduces the amount of stomach acid produced. This made very little difference and I still had heartburn and nausea almost constantly. I then had an endoscopy which showed nothing serious...just mild oesophagitis-basically inflammation of my oesophagus. The doctor told me that this is usually caused by acid reflux, but that it can also be caused by taking medication with insufficient water. The tablets can kind of lodge in your throat and cause irritation as they dissolve. If this happens, I was told that the best thing to do is to ensure I wash the sertraline tablets down with loads of water...I have 2 glasses. Then I have something to eat straight afterwards to make sure the tablet is definitely down the hatch!!!! And do you know what?it has really worked. After about a week, the symptoms were much reduced. I still do have heartburn, but nowhere near as often or as bad as before. Hope this helps.

Yes I definitely have experienced similar toScarlettDarling as a result of not washing the pill down with enough water. It seems to be especially bad I I take it on an empty stomach. You could always rake your citalopram after a meal and see if that helps.

Seratonin is involved in the digestive tract as well as the brain. That might explain it. If it doesn't settle down do go back to the GP.

Hello, and thanks so much for replying. I took a few Rennies yesterday and although the heartburn etc didn't disappear, it wasn't nearly so bad; I also wonder if it is also the anxiety rearing its nasty head - listening to radio reports on hrt/ovarian cancer gave me almost instant lump stuck in the throat yesterday (I have appalling health anxiety due to difficult life events).

The tablet is so tiny I wonder where it gets stuck! I will take after eating and wash down with copious amounts of water. Will report back in a few days

I know...I was dubious about the teeny tablet getting lodged in my throat, but after maybe a week of washing it down with gallons of water, the improvement was undeniable!

Hi I'm on citalopram for anxiety (I have also suffered horribly with health anxiety too). I'm about 3 months into my course and the heartburn has eased off. The tablets do seem to stick at the back of my throat so I will definitely start taking them with more water.

If you don't mind me saying - I have given up listening/watching/reading the news and related topical discussion shows. I found they would set my anxiety off. I knew that if I listened to news about ebola (for example) how it would end up in my head. Would it be an option for you to reduce listening to news reports (thinking of your reaction to the cancer stories)?

Hello Peasepudding (nice name!)

Thanks for replying. The gp gave me some omeprazole for the heartburn; have taken for three days now and I think that I am detecting a tiny bit of difference....the nausea has, however, been almost constant today; it has been almost the worst ever...

I am now 3.5 weeks into taking the tablets and have noticeably more patience with my children, and am far less tearful; yesterday, though, I became really panicky for the first time since taking them - the trigger was spending time with a friend whose husband is terminally ill, then going with her to pick up some medication in the pharmacy; seeing information for cancer on leaflets there made me shaky and breathless, thigh muscles became really weak. I managed to hide it but had to lie down when I got home - so yes, you are right, actively avoiding those triggers to health anxiety is a good idea but sometimes it just seems everywhere I look

Have you stopped feeling panicky and anxious, three months in?

I take citalopram and have terrible heartburn/reflux. Some of the heartburn medicines interfere with the anxiety medicine. Does anyone recommend a kind of heartburn medicine?

Hi there. This is a long time ago but I’m wondering how you are with your health anxiety? I can relate! Xx

First of all, big hugs to you — starting Celexa (Citalopram) is such a brave step, especially after struggling with panic and health anxiety for so long. I completely understand your hesitation and what you’re feeling right now. I’ve been on Celexa (Citalopram) for quite a while myself, and I just want to say: it can get better. It really helped me get my life back — I feel more balanced, calmer, and just more me again.

I totally relate to what you said about feeling “spaced out” or sleepy in the afternoons — I had that too in the beginning. As for the heartburn/acid reflux, yes — you’re not alone. I actually went through a similar phase when I first started it. Mine also came with gas, bloating, and a weird tight feeling in the chest and throat. It was unsettling, especially because anxiety can make you hyper-aware of every physical sensation. But the good news? It did pass.

Here’s what helped me manage those side effects while adjusting to Celexa:

1. Take it with food — I always take mine with a light meal or snack to cushion the stomach. It really helped with the nausea and reflux.
2. Elevate your head when sleeping — It helped ease the nighttime acid reflux.
3. Avoid lying down right after meals — This made a surprising difference.
4. Stay hydrated — It helps with digestion and minimizes the woozy, nauseous waves.
5. Use quality medication — I noticed a big improvement when I started using really reliable Celexa. Low-quality generics made my side effects worse. If it helps, I now order mine from this pharmacy. Their Celexa has always been excellent quality and I genuinely feel a much smoother and more stable effect since switching to them.

Also — please don’t worry if it’s taking some time. Everyone’s body adjusts differently. I know it’s hard when you just want relief now, but often these symptoms start to fade around the 3-4 week mark. And seeing your GP for a review is a great idea — you’re doing all the right things. 💛

You’re not alone in this, and I promise there’s light at the end of this weird side-effect tunnel. If you ever want to talk more or ask anything else, I’m here.

Sending strength and warmth,
Cathleen 💕